HIPPY

“Partnering with parents to ensure they acquire skills necessary to become primary educators of their preschool aged children.”

Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngers (HIPPY) is an evidence-based program that works with families in the home to support parents in their critical role as their child’s first and most important teacher. HIPPY’s goal is to help parents prepare their children for success in school and in life.

HIPPY enrolls parents who have children ages 3 and 4. Parents and children (ages 3 and 4) participate in early learning activities for 30 weeks. After completion of the 4-year-old curriculum, parents with children (age 5 and who do not attend kindergarten) participate in 15 weeks of activities including 11 “Let’s Read, Talk, and Play” booklets.

The curriculum supports school readiness with activities that are naturally interesting to the child as well as meaningful to the parent. The HIPPY curriculum develops skills and concepts that include:

Home visits are the primary location for HIPPY visits. The program uses trained home visitors who go into the home and role-play the activities with the parents one hour a week for 30 weeks. Parents then work with their children 15-20 minutes a day/5 days a week.

Home visits are key to the HIPPY program; however, the relationships that are formed during these times are supported through group meetings. Group meetings and home visits work together to balance the learning experiences for the parent and child. Group meetings are held six times per year on a monthly basis. Group meetings provide opportunities for HIPPY parents to come together and share their experiences. Child Care is provided during the group meetings allowing social interactions for the children.

For more information about the HIPPY program, call our office at (919) 834-9300 and ask to speak with the HIPPY coordinator.

The Family Resource Center of Raleigh’s HIPPY program is funded by Wake County SmartStart, an organization that ensures young children are healthy and prepared for school and life.